Sheet feeding and stacking apparatus



Ap 10,1945. J. c. sTRlcKLER SHEET FEEDING AND STACKING APPARATUS 10 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Marh 25, 1943 Nl b NRW lApril 1o, 1945.`

J'. C. STRICKLER SHEET FEDING AND STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1945 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 10, l945. J. c. sTRrcKLr-:R

- SHEET FEEDING AND STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1945 1o sheets-sheet s RN QN l INVENTOR. @JM

April 1o, 1945.

J. C. STRICKLER SHEET FEEDING AND STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 25`, 194s v1o sheets-sheet 4 Abril 10,v 1945. 4J. c. smckLER 2,373,149

I SHEET FEEDING AND s TACKING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1943 1o sheets-sheet 5 INV ToR.

/l Trams/5X3' April 10, 1945. J. c. sTRlcKLER y SHEET FEEDING AND STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1943 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 am? TTENE' April 10, 1945. J. c. STRICKLER A 2,373,149

` SHEET FEEDING AND STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1943 10 Sheets-Sheet'V INVENToR.

ATo/vfys @www April 10, 1945. J. c'. sTRlKLER l SHEET FEEDING AND STACKING APPARATUS 1 I 1o sheets-sheet 8.

Filed MarchV 25. 1945 a n l INVENTOR. DM

Z VM

` @am V ATTOE/Vfx's April 1o, 1945.

J. C. STRICKLER A SHEET FEEDING AND STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1945 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 vZW' J7 roe/vans April l0, 1945. J. c. sTxf-uKLER` ySHEET FEEDING-AND STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1943 l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 Patented Apr. 10, 1945 SHEET FEEDING AND STACKING APPARATUS John C. Strickler, San Francisco, Calif., assig'nor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 25V, 1943, Serial N o. 480,547

14 Claims.

sition from a moving conveyor and transferringthem into a stacked horizontal position ready for removal to a subsequent operation machine, to storage, or other desired place of disposal.

In the manufacture of ,cans or containers made from sheet material it is sometimes necessary to handle the sheets many times, especially when such sheets are lithographed in numerous colors. Usually the sheets after receiving a treatment in one machine must be piled in an orderly stack before they can be fed properly into a subsequent operation machine. Often the sheets arereceived in a heated condition which makes manual handling a diicult matter.

For all practical purposes the sheets are more expeditiously handled while in an ori-edge psi tion. However, in feeding the sheets intoa machine they are better fed in most cases, from a horizontal stack. It is the handling of sheets.

subject; to this combination of conditions that'is contemplated in the apparatus of the instant invention.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a sheet feeding and stacking apparatus wherein sheets advancing along a path of travel are successively engaged by magnetic devices disposed in the path of travel of the sheets and such devices remove and advance each sheet, along a path of travel different from its former travel.

Another object is the provision in such an apparatus of a conveyor for advancing the sheets in close order in which magnetic rollers disposed in the path of the sheets remove each individual sheet laterally from the conveyor so that the extracted sheet is free Vof the next following and continuously advancing sheet. Y

Another object is the provision in an apparatus of this character of a series of properly arranged magnetic elements for extracting each sheet; from its advancingpath of travel for transferring the sheet to another position4 and then turning the sheet into position for elevating and stacking. A further object is the provision in a sheet feeding and stacking apparatus of the character described wherein the magnetization of certainl magnetic rollers is controlled byl the position of the sheet during its passage through the machine.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a sheet feeding and stacking apparatus embodying the instant invention, with parts broken away;

Fig.v 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1,.and showing a portion of a sheet conveyor adjacent the apparatus with' a sheet indicated in dot and dash lines;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse vertical section taken substantially along the broken line -t in Fig. l, with parts broken away;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical section taken substantially along the line 5 5 in Fig. l;

Figs. 6, 'l and 8 are vertical sections taken substantially along the respective lines 6 6,l `l, 8 8 in Fig. 4, with parts broken away;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical view takenl along a plane indicated by the line 9 9 in Fig. 2, with parts broken away and with parts shown in section; v

Figs. l0 and 11 are enlarged sectional deta' taken substantially along the respective lines lll-lil, I I Il in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line I2 i2 in Fig.'11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially along the vertical line 13-13 in Fig.

2; and

Fig. 14 is a Wiring. diagram of the electrical devices used in the apparatus.

` As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings illustrate a sheet feeding and stacking lmachine which is arranged to extract hot metallic sheets A (Fig. 3) from a lithograph sheet drying oven of the character extensively used in the can making industry. The sheets A while supported in an inclined ori-edge position are extracted from the lithograph oven by an inclined bank of magnetized extractor rotors or rollers B whichconstitute an extractor panel C.

The extractor panel of rotors B advance each `sheet to a bank of magnetic transfer rotors or rollers D which constitute a transfer panel E. These rotors shift the sheet to a position adjacent a dump panel F. The dump panel changes the direction ofA travel of the sheet and carries it into contact with an inclined elevator panel G having magnetizedA elevator rotors or rollersv H which advance the sheet to a higher elevation and then discharge it horizontally into a stacker mechanism J. The discharged sheets fall in stacked arrangement onto the platform of a portable car-V riage or truck K which is placed in the stacker mechanism for the reception of the sheets.

In conventional lithographing ovens thel sheets A while passing through the oven are carried on a continuously moving, horizontal, endless chain conveyor 24 having spaced and parallel wickets 25 (Fig. 3). It is these wickets that support the sheets in a slightly'off-verticalV or on-edge position, as hereinbefore, mentioned. The conveyorv extends beyond a sheet feeding and stackingmachine.

In the sheet feeding and stacking machine of.

the present invention,the extractor panel C of feed rotors B extends-out at the side and at right angles to the path of travel of the oven conveyor 24. The incline of the extractor panel corresponds with the inclination of the sheets on the 10) These treads engage the sheets and prevent them from becoming scratched.

The rotors B are mounted on vertically inclined shafts 28 which are joumaled in spaced bearings 23 secured to an overhanging bracket 3| (Figs. 1

and 3) bolted to one of a pair of spaced and parallel side frames 32 which constitute a. portion of the main frame of the machine. .The rotors are continuously rotated by bevel gears 35 (Fig. 3) which are mounted on the lower ends of the rotor shafts 28. The bevel gears mesh with similar driving gears 38 which are carried on a horizontal shaft 31 journaled in a pairof spaced bearing blocks 38 bolted to the overhanging bracket 3|.

The horizontal shaft 31 is continuouslyrotated by an endless drive chain 4| (see Figs. l, 2, f1 and 5) which operates over a driven sprocket 42 mounted on the inner end of the shaft 31 and over a driving sprocket 43 mounted on a power shaft 45.. The power shaft is journaled in three bearing brackets 46. One of these bearing brackets is bolted to one side. of the side frames 32. The other two are formed with long support plates 41 which are secured to a pair of' cross beams 48 that tie the side frames together. One of these brackets is disposed intermediate the other two brackets and is hereinafter referred to as the intermediate bearing bracket.

The power shaft 45 is rotated by a spur gear 5| (Figs. 4 and 6) which is mounted on the shaft and which meshes with a driving pinion 52 carried on a short jack shaft 53.

for the entire machine.I The motor is 'bolted to` the hanger bars 58. It is through this train of gears and sprockets connecting with the motor that the rotors B of the extractor panel C are driven. i f 'The rotating rotors B ofthe extractor panel The jack shaft is journaled at its ends in a bearing 55 (see also C are magnetized and attract a sheet A in the sheet extraction from the oven conveyor wickets 25. They also provide for advancement of the sheet into the stacking machine. The two outer rows of rotors B which are disposed in the path of travel of the sheets on the oven conveyor are magnetized by electro-magnets 1| (see Fig. 10).

-*These electro-magnets surround the two outer themselves permanent magnets the outer periph'- eral shoulder portions of the rotors on either side of the annular groove 28 in which the tread 21 is disposed, serving as the north and south poles of the magnets. In this manner the magnet rotors set 'up a permanent magnetic ileld. I

Hence when the outer vertical edge portion of a sheet Ain a wicket 25 of the oven conveyor comes adjacent the two outer rows of magnetized and rotating rotors B, the attracted sheet is withy 40 ment of a following sheet or a following wicket of the conveyor. vThe wickets at all times clear' the rotors as best seen in Fig. 3.

Provision also is made to prevent premature picking-up of the following sheet A. 'Ihis is brought about by de-energizing the electro-magnets 1I immediately following the extraction of each sheet and as soon as the leading portion of the extracted sheet is well within the attraction of the permanent magnet rotors. n

De-'energizing of the electro-magnets 1| is ef fected by the opening offa normally closed electric switch 12 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which is mounted on the back of the overhanging bracket 3|. This switch is in the circuit of the electro-magnets and will be referred to more' fully hereinafter in the explanation of the wiring diagram.

From a mechanical point of view, the switch is operated by a lever 13 which is mounted on a pivot pin 14 secured in the overhanging bracket 3|. The inner end ofthe lever 13 extends into the f path of travel of the sheet A advancing through the rotor panel C and carries an actuating roller 15 against which the leading edge of the sheet Y proper sheet engaging position. One end of the spring isI secured to thefpin while the opposite end is' attached to the lever. The outer end of the lever engages against a movable element 11 ofthe switch 12.

The transfer panelv E of rotors Dis located adfer panel, however, is located on the opposite surface 'of the advancing sheet. This transfer panel E includes twelve vertically inclined rows of the rotors D. Each rotor is provided with a rubber tread 8| (Figs. 2 and 9) similar to the treads 21 of the rotors B.

The transfer rotors D are mounted on vertically inclined spaced and parallel shafts 82 which rotate in bearing blocks 83 secured to an inclined front bracket 84 bolted to the side frames 32. The rotors D are similar in construction to the rotors B and normally are held magnetized by electro-magnets which are similar in construction and location to the electro-magnets 1| in the extractor panel C.

The transfer rotors D and their shafts 8-2 are continuously rotated by bevel gears 86 (see Figs. 5 and 9) which are mounted on the lower ends of the shafts. 'I'hese bevel gears mesh with and are driven 4by similar gears 81 in turn mounted on a horizontal drive shaft 88 journaled in bearings 89 bolted to the inclined front 'bracket 84. The drive shaft is rotated by a spur gear 9| (see also Fig. 1) which is mounted on one end of the shaft. rl'his gear meshes with andv is driven by a spur gear 92 which is carried on theinner end of the this manner the rotors D of the transfer panel E are rotated in time with the rotors B of the extractor panel C, This provides a smooth transfer of the sheets from one panel to the other.

Hence an extracted sheet A is pulled out by the extractor panel C and is delivered into the transfer panel E which in turn advances it to a centralized position in tlfemachine. approaches this centralized position, its leading edge engages against and rocks an actuating lever 95 (Figs. l and 2). Upon actuation of the lever further edgewise travel of the sheet is terminated. At the same time the sheet is pushed bodily away from and is stripped 01T the rotors D, the sheet moving in the direction of the dump panel'F. A long arm 96 which is formed on the lever assists in the stripping operation.

The outer end of the lever 95 is formed with a long vertical hub 91 which is mounted on a stationary pivot pin 98 secured in the inclined front bracket 8d. The lever is maintained under pressure of a tension spring 99 which surrounds an upwardly projecting portion of the pivot pin. One. end of the spring is connected to the pin while the other end is secured to the lever.

Besides stopping the sheet A in its centralized position in the machine and in addition to the bodily stripping of tle sheet awayfrom the transfer panel rotors D, the rocking lever `95 performs three other functions which will now be explained. The first-of these functions of the lever has to do with de-energizing the-electro magnets of the rotors D. This is brought'about by the opening of a normally closed electric As a sheet A horizontal shaft 31 of the extractor panel C. In

switch |0| (Figs. 1 and 2) which connects with by a cam projection |04 formed on the hub 91 of the lever 95. Hence when the lever is rocked, its cam projection actuates the switch. As to the second function of the lever 9 5, certain magnets are energized in the dump panel F so that the panel takes hold of the sheet as it is stripped off the transfer panel E. This energizing of the dump panel magnets is effected by the closing of a normally open electric switch |06 which is in 'electrical magnetic circuits of the dump panel. These circuits will be considered in detail in connection with the wiring diagram. Switch |06 'is located above the switch I 0| and ls 'secured to the same bracket |02. The switch is formed with a movable element |01 which is actuated 'by a cam projection |08 formed on the hub 91 of the lever 95.

The third function of the lever 95 relatesto setting the dump panel F into motion, as will be hereinafter more` fully explained. This operation of the dump panel is brought about by the closing of a normally open electric switch I which is a part of electrical circuits to be discussed in detail with a description of the wiring diagram.

Switch |I| is located below the switch |0| and is secured to the same switch bracket |02. This switch is formed with a movable element ||2 which is actuated by a cam projection ||3 carried on the hub 9T of the lever 95. Thus it will be seen that all three switches |0|, |00 and are operated in the desired sequence by the rocking ofthe lever 95 when a sheet A engages the lever.

The dump panel F is located adjacent the transfer panel E and extends for nearly the full length of the latter panel, as best illustrated in Fig. 9. Its function is to pick a stripped sheet A off the transfer panel E and to rock it from a nearly vertical on-edge position into a position of approximately forty-five degrees from the horizontal, so that it can be easily picked-up by the elevator panel G. For this purpose the dump panel F is formed with an elongated rectangular shaped casing |2| (see also Fig. 2) which houses a plurality of electro-magnets |22. The front of the casing, i. e., the face adjacent the transfer panel E carries a sheet supporting plate |23 which extends parallel with and is closely adjacent a sheet when it is held on the transfer panel. The magnets, when energized, set up almagnetic field of sufficient strength through the supporting plate to pick-up the displaced sheet from the transfer panel rotors D and to hold it against the supporting plate. It is these magnets that are controlled by the opening and closing of the electric switch |06. f

The casing |2| of the dump panel F is fixed to a plurality of depending bracket arms |25 which at their .lower ends are formed with clevises (see Fig. 9). These clevises hold pivot pins |21 which operate in bearing blocks |28 bolted to the inclined front bracket 84 of the transfer panel E; It is on these pivot pins that the dump panel rocks to turn the sheet into its angular position as mentioned above.

The dump panel F is rocked on its pivot pins |21 by cam action. This is brought about by movement of a link |3| (Figs 2, 8 and 9). One end of the link is connected to the dump panel by a pivot pin |32 which is-secured to the center bracket arm |25. The opposite end of the link is pivotally connected to a cam arm |33 which is mounted on the inner end of a long pivot shaft |34 (see also Fig. 4) carried in the intermediate bearing bracket 95 of the power shaft i5 and in a -bracket |30 bolted to one of the side frames 32. Between its ends the cam arm carries a cam roller |35 that operates in a cam groove |35 of a rotatable face cam |31.

AThe face cam |31 is mounted on a cam shaft cycle for each sheet transfer.

|4| joumaled at its ends in bearings |42 formed in the two bearing brackets 48. The cam shaft is periodically rotated through a one revolution 'I'his rotation of the shaft is brought about by a clutch gear |45 which is loosely mounted on the shaft. 'I'he gear is continuously rotated by a pinion |46 mounted on the power shaft 45 (see also Fig. 1).

The clutch gear |45 is formed with an enlarged clutch hub |41 that surrounds a stepped or'shouldered clutch driving member |48 which is keyed onto the cam shaft |4|. A clutch ring |49 is bolted to the outer face of the clutch'hub and this ring also surrounds the driving member. The ring is formed with a plurality of internal V-shaped teeth which are set off by adjacent v-shaped notches |52.

In radial alignment with these notches, |52 and teeth |5|, a yieldable driving pawl |53 is mounted on a pivot pin |54 carried in the stepped or shouldered portion of the clutch driving member |48, as best shown in Fig. 4. The driving pawl |53 is pressed outwardly by a compression spring |55 which is interposed between the pawl and the outer surface of the driving member and is seated in recesses or sockets formed in these parts.

The driving pawl |53 is held normallyin a depressed position against the resistance of its spring |55 b y a vertically disposed locking latch nger |6| (Figs. 4 and '1) which keeps the pawlaway from the teeth |5| of the rotating clutch gear |45. The latch finger is mounted on a pivot pin |62 which is carried in a pair of spaced bearing lugs |613 formedon a solenoid base |64 which is integral with the outer bearing bracket 46 (see also Figs. l and 2).'

The lower end of the latch nger |5| is maintained under pressure of a compression spring |65 which is interposed between the finger and the solenoid base |64. The upper end of the finger is normally maintained in engagement with theinner `end of a movable solenoid core |66 by the spring |65. `Core |68 is a part of a normally de-energized electric solenoid |61 horizontally mounted on the solenoid base. This solenoid is controlled by the electric switch and is connected in the circuits which will be explained later with the wiring diagram.

When a, sheet A is' attracted to the dump panel F by the energizing of its electro-magnets |22,

' the clutch solenoid |81 is simultaneously enerunder the force of its spring |55.

The free end of the clutch pawl |53 thereupon comes into engagement with one of the clutch teeth |5| in the clutch ring |48 on the rotating gear |45. The clutch gear and the clutch driving member |48 are thus locked to. gether and the cam shaft |4| rotates. Rotation of the cam shaftv continues for one revolution during which time the solenoid is cie-energized. The' latch nger |5| immediately returns t0 its originalposition and is in place to reengage the nger, thus unclutching the parts.

Rotation of the cam shaft |4| also revolvesV g one of the side frames 32.

the cam |31 through one revolution. The cam in turn oscillates the cam lever |88 and this rocks the dump panel F through a dumping cycle, first tilting the panel from its upright position into an angular position for delivery of the sheet carried thereon to the elevator panel G and then returning -it to its original upright position for the reception of a subsequent sheet.

While the dump panel F is in its inclined p0- sition its electro-magnets |22 are de-energized to permit delivery of the sheet A therefrom. The magnet circuit is broken by the opening of a normally closed electric switch |1| (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) which is mounted on a bracket |12 secured to The switch is formed with a/ ovable element |13 which engages against an which is actuated by an edge cam |14 mounted on the outer end of the cam shaft In this way the cam opens the switch at the proper time to de-'energize the electro-mag nets.

Upon completion of the cycle of the cam shaft |4|l the clutch members I 48, |48 are disengaged and rotation of the shaft is instantly arrested as the pawl |53 rides under the latch finger |8I and the free end of the pawl disengages the tooth |5| of the clutch gear ring |48.

Instantaneous stopping. of the cam shaft after disengagement of the clutch parts |48, |49 is brought about by a conventional brake device which includes a brake drum |11 (Fig. 6) mounted on the inner end of the cam shaft |4|. The drum is surrounded by a pair of curved brake arms |18, located one on each side ofthe shaft. One end of each of these arms is mounted on a common pivot stud |18 secured in a lug |8| (see Figs. 4 and 8) formed on the intermediate bearing bracket 46.

The opposite ends of the brake arms |18 are 4o'formea with hollow bosses la: through which `a draw-bolt |88 extends. One end of the bolt is locked in place inv itsboss by a loeknut |84. y

The opposite end is formed with alarge-head which engages against a bifurcated lever molmted on a pivot pin |86 carried in the adjacent boss |82. The lever carries a. cam roller |81 which operates on an edge cam |88 secured to a .side of the brake drum |11.

The brake drum |11 and the cam |88 rotate with the cam shaft |4| .and when the shaft completes its cycle1 the cam pushes the lever |85 out- 'wardly and thus draws the bolt |83 tight in its bosses |82.4 This draws the bosses toward each other and. hence squeezes the brake arms |18 against the brake drum and stops the released cam shaft from further rotation. This is a usual brake construction. y

The elevator panel G of rotors H, which receive a sheet A from the dump panel F when the latter is in its inclined position, is in back of the nent magnets having resilient rubberV treads 8|. A'Ihere preferably are five horizontal rows of these rotors in the elevator panel G. These rotors are mounted -in spaced relation on horizontal rotor shafts |82 (Figs. 1, 2,- 3, 4 and 6) journaled in bearings |88. The lower'four rows oi' these bearings are secured lto an inclined bed plate |84 which ls bolted to curved brackets |95 fastened to cross rails 48. .The top row of rotor shaft is l lf pla The rotors H are continuously rotated in unison and in the proper sheet; feeding direction by short endless chains 206 which extend between adjacent pairs of shafts E92, as best shown in Figs. l and 2. There are four such chains shown in the drawings. These chains operate over sprockets 2M which are mounted on the outer ends of the shafts. The lowermost shaft |192 in the panel is the drive shaft for the others.

shaft is driven from the power shaft d5 by an endless drive chain itil which Aoperates over sprockets tilt, 2cd mounted on the respective shafts (see Fig. il f the inclined elevator panel. It should be understood that the magnets H2 in the dump panel are deenergized at this time. Support strips tot secured to the bearing brackets extend upwardly along the path of travel 'of the sheet and keep the latterin a flat condition while being elevated.

.et the top of the elevator panel G an elevated sheet h, under its own momentum catapults out into space and falls into the stacking mechanism Ql. The stacking mechanism includes a superstructure into which the portable truck K may be wheeled for loading. This super-structure is carried on the side frames di ofthe machine and comprises four vertical guide posts 2id (Figs. l, Z and 13), located two on eachside ofthe machlneadjacent the delivery end of the elevator panel. Illhe lower ends of these posts are secured in the side frames d2 and the upper ends are secured to longitudinal top beams 2li. The two posts on each side oi' the machine carry a sheet carrier bracket dit therebetween. Each'bracket is formed with two spaced and vertically parallel bears. t lli that surround and slide on the guide osts.

p The carrier brackets dit are formed with inn wardly projecting angle shaped support rails t it which extent the full length of the brackets. These two rails thus are on opposite sides of the machine and supportbetween them a removable wooden or other material platform 2id .which receives the sheets A as they are delivered from the elevator `panel and fall into the stacking mechanism. p

rEhe sheets A are guided during this fall onto the platform dit by verticaly side guide plates litt which are supported on brackets 222 bolted to the top beams dit. ldndstop plates 223 se-4 cured to brackets dtd bolted to a cross rail 2th secnred'tothe outer ends of the top beams.. arrest the travel of the sheets when they are delivered from thejelevator panel and ythus insure t s B93 is secured to a cross rail 19t which v d on end brackets itl bolted to the bed.

This

Aof vertically disposed endless carrier chains ttl.

The inner runs of the chains extend through openings 22d (Fig. 13) formed in the brackets where they are secured in place by clamp plates 229.

The carrierchains ttl operate over loweridler sprockets ttl (Fig. 2) and over upper driving sprockets 232. There are two of these chains and two sets of sprockets on each side of the machine. Each lower idler sprocket 23E is mounted on a short idler shaft 233 carried in a bearing bracket 23d bolted to the side frame t2. The two upper driving sprockets 232 on each side are mounted on a common sprocket shaft it@ which is carried in spaced bearing blockntt'l secured to the upper Vends of the vertical cuide posts dit (seeFig. 13)

on that side.

The outer ends of the two sprocket shafts litt extend beyond their outer guide posts till and are carried in bearings 23d formed in a pair of gear casings ist (Fiss. l. and 2) located one-on each side of the machine and bolted to the cross rail 225. Within these gear casings each sprocket shaft litt terminates and carries a worm wheel 2d (s'ee Fig. 1l). The two worm wheels mesh f with worms 2dr which are mounted on both ends of a. drive shaft tilt which extends across the rear of the machine.. Adjacent these worms the drive shaft is carried in bearings ddd formed in the gear casing.

The drive shaft ddd :is intermittently moved through .a partial or step rotation by a spur gear Zell which is feathered onto the shaft. The gear may be shifted manually into a non-operating position. as will be explained hereinafter. t knob Edil is formed on the gear for this purpose. Gear Ztl meshes with and is rotated by a pinion dei@ which is mounted on the er end of a ratchet shaft 252 carried in a hearing 25d formed on the ing is formed with a cylindrical recess (see also Fig. l2) which houses cylindrical driving member dat keyed onto the shaft tilt. The outer periphery of this driving member is formed with a plurality of wedge shaped notches dei. Each of these notches retains a roller ttt which is interposed betweenthe member and the casina". This is a usual free wheeling" ratchet construction.

When the ratchet casing is rocked in the proper direction the platform dit is lowered the desired distance, i. e., approximately equal to the thickness of one sheet it. When the ratchet casing ttt is rocked in opposite direction, the rollers tdt ride back into 'their notches andA the platform dit remains stationary. One such y intermittent platform lowering movement ioleven and uniform stacking of the sheets on the end of the elevator panel' G so that the sheets not have far to iall. However, provision is made to lower the platform gradually as the stack builds up so that the top of the stack will always' ..-Las

'Fil

lowed by one rest period takes place with each sheet delivery of the elevator panel Gl.

Rocking ol' the ratchet casing is brought about by a. long horizontal actuating link dtd (Figs. l, 2 and ll) which is disposed near the tcp of the stacking mecha l and which extends along one or the iongitu top be il l. one enc of this is connected to a pivot pin ttt car-1 ried in a lug 261 formed on the ratchet casing. The other end ofthe link connects with a vertical leg of a bell crank lever 263 mounted on a pivot stud 269 secured in the adjacent top beam 2| i. A horizontal leg of the bell crank lever 268 is connected byl a depending rod 21| to an arm. 212 mounted on the pivot shaft, |33 of the-dump panel actuating lever or cam arm |33.

When the platform 2|5 on which the sheets A are received, is loaded to capacity, it is lowered into position onto the portable truck K which is disposed under the stacking mechanism J as hereinbefore mentioned. This lowering of the platform is effected manually by turning a crank handle 215 (Fig. 1) which is applied to the outer end of the ratchet drive shaft 243. Before turning the handle,however, the drive gear 241 (Fig. 11) is disengaged from its pinion by pulling the gear back along the shaft andreleasing the shaft from the free wheeling" ratchet device 255. Turning of the shaft 243 by means of the handle 215 thus lowers the platform quickly.

When the loaded platform 2|3 has been lowered onto the truck K, the latter is removed to any suitable place of deposit and a new platform 2|5 is placed on the carrier brackets 2|2. The carrier brackets and the new platform then are elevated, by manual operation of the crank handle 215 in the reverse direction. thus bringing the platform into a proper position-preparatory to receiving a new load of sheets. The truck may be unloaded at that time and the empty truck replaced in position under the new platform or a different truck may be used.

During this transfer of a loaded platform 2|5 to the truck K and the insertion of a new platform the rest of the machine continues operating. At that time the sheets as they are delivered from the elevator panel G are received on a temporary support which includes a plurality of stack bars 216 (Figs. 1 and 2). For obvious reasons these need support only a few sheets.

The drawings show three stack bars 213 which are slidable in bearing blocks 211 bolted tothe cross rail 226. The outer ends of the bars are secured to a common transverse handle bar 218 by means of which the bars 216 are pushed into operative position as shown in dotted lines (Fig. l). During most of the time the 'bars are in a withdrawn position, as shown in full lines. The inner ends of the stack bars are formed with small stop plates 213 which limit their outward travel and prevent them from being drawn out of their bearings when they are shifted into non-operating position. This completes the description and explanation of the machine proper.

Reference should now be had to the wiring diagram in Fig. 14.V This diagram illustrates the various electric'circuits used in supplying electric energy to the electro-magnets in the different panels and to the solenolds and relays utilized in establishing and .maintaining these circuits.

Electric energy for the relay circuit L is supplied from the generator by way -of a wire 308 which connects the main lead wire 302 to one side of the lever actuated switch 12. The opposite side of this switch is connected by a wire 309 to one side of the relay solenoid 306. The

other side of the solenoid coil is connected by Electric energy is supplied in any suitable man ner, as by aV generator 30E and is transmitted along a pair 'of main lead wires 302l 303 and a connecting wire 30d.

The normally energized electro-magnets 1| in the extractor panel C are maintained in this condition by a relay circuit L which includes the nor- 4end of the series is connected by'a wire 325 to Y a wire 3|0to the lead wire 303.

' Electric energy from the generator 30| flowing along this circuit keeps the solenoid 306 energized and thus retains the relay switch 30'i in its normally closed condition. One side of the relay switch 301 is connected by a wire 3|| to the main lead wire 303. The opposite side of the switch is connected by a wire 3 2 to the upper electro-magnets 1| in the two outer rows of such magnets.

The magnets in each row are connected in series' and the lower magnets are connected by a wire 3 I3 to the main lead wire 302. This wiring completes the extractor circuit M which' remains closed as long -as the relay switch 301 remains closed.

When a sheet A engages the switch lever 13 it opens the switch 12 and this breaks the relay circuit L. The solenoid 306 is thereupon de-energized. De-energizing of this circuit opens the relay switch 301 and this breaks the extractor circuit M. The electro-magnets 1| are'thus de-energized and remain in such a condition until the lever operated switch 12 is again closed.

As hereinbefore mentioned the de-energizing of the electro-magnets in the transfer panel E is simultaneous with the energizing of the magnets |22 in the dump panel F and with the energizing of the clutch solenoid |61. These operations are brought about by the actuation of the three switches 0|, |06, lli which are under control of the switch actuating lever 95. Switch |0| de-energizes the complete battery of electro-magnets on panel E and at the same instant closes the switch |06 which energizes the electro-magnets in the dump panel F. The change of magnetic flux from the E to the F panel moves the sheet f from the former to the latter and brings to a smooth stop the fast traveling sheet.

The first of these functions, the cle-energizing of the electro-magnets in the transfer panel E is brought about by the opening of the normally closed switch |0| which is included in a transfer circuit N. inl this circuit one side of the lever switch |0| is connected by a wire 3|6 to the normally closed cam operated switch i1 E The other side of switch |1| is connected by a wire 3|3 to the main lead wire 303. The opposite side of the lever switch |0| is connected by a wire 3H to a solenoid 3|8 of a transfer relay switch 3|9. The solenoid coil is also connected by a wire 32| to the main lead wire 302.

As long asv both switches Hill, ifi i are closed this transfer circuit N is complete and electric energy from the generator' 30 ows and maintains the solenoid 3|.8 in an energized condition. It is this condition that holds the transfer relay-switch 3 l 3 closed.

The transfer relay switch 3|3 is included in a transfervrelay circuit '0 which also includes the electro-magnets of the transfer panel E.4 In this circuit the magnets are connected in series. One

the malnlead wire 302. The other end of the Aseries is connected by a wire 323 to one side ofthe transfer relay switch 3|0. 'I'he other side of the switch is connected by a wire 321 to the main lead wire 303;

Hence as long .as the transfer relay switch3|3 for receiving and stacking the stripped-off sheets,

4. A sheet feeding and stacking apparatus, comprising in combination, a conveyor 'for advancing sheets along a path of travel, an extractor panel of magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said conveyor and extending into the path of travel of the sheets for engaging and extracting individual sheets from said conveyor, a transfer panel of magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said extractor panel for engaging and further advancing the extracted sheets, stripper devices operable b y the advancing sheets for separating the extracted sheets from the transfer panel, and means for receiving and stacking the stripped-ofi` sheets.

A sheet feeding and stacking apparatus, comprising in combination, a conveyor for advancing sheets along a path of travel, an extractor panel of magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said conveyor and extending into the path of travel lof the sheets for engaging and extracting the sheets individually from said conveyor, a transfer panel of magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said extractor panel for engaging and further advancing the extracted sheets, and a dump device for receiving the extracted and advanced sheets from said transfer panel and for turning them into a different position.

6. A sheet feeding and stacking apparatus, comprising in combination. a conveyor for advancing sheets along a path of travel, an extractor panel of magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said conveyor and extending into the path of travel of the sheets for engaging and extracting the sheets individually from said conveyor, a transfer panel of magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said extractor panel for engaging and further advancing the extracted sheets, a dump panel ofi electro-magnets for receiving the extracted and. advanced sheets from said transfer turned sheets. a

7. A sheet feeding and stacking appara-tus, comprising in combination, a conveyor for advancing sheets along a path of travel, an extractor panel of magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said conveyor and extendingv into the path of travel of the sheets for engaging and extracting individual sheets from said conveyor, a transfer panel of magnetized rollers disposed'adjacent said extractor panel for engaging and further advancing the extracted sheets, a dump device for receiving the extracted and advanced sheets fromsaid transfer panel and for turning them into a different position, conveyor means for receiving the turned sheets from said dump device and for carrying them to.a higher elevation, and means for receiving and stacking the elevated sheets in a horizontal position.

8. A sheet feeding and stacking apparatus, comprising in combination, a conveyor for advancing sheets along a path of travel, an extractor amargo panel of magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said conveyor and extending into the path of travel of the sheets for engaging and extracting the sheets individually from said conveyor, a transfer panel of magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said extractor panel for engaging and further advancing the extracted sheets, a dump device for receiving the extracted and advanced sheets from said transfer panel and for turning them into a different position, an elevator panel of magnetic rollers for receiving the turned sheets from said dump device and for carrying them to a higher elevation, and devices for rotating said extractor, transfer and elevator panel rollers in synchronism.

9. A sheet feeding and stacking apparatus, comprising in combination, a conveyor for advancing sheets along a path of travel, an extractor panel of -magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said conveyor and extending into the path of travel of the sheets for engaging and extracting the sheets individually from said conveyor, a transfer panel of magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said extractor panel for engaging and further advancing the extracted sheets, a dump device for receiving the extracted and advanced sheets from said transfer panel and for turning them into a different position, actuating means including clutch devices .for actuating said dump devices through a sheet turning cycle, electric instrumentalities for setting said actuating means in motion in synchronism with the `advancement of the sheets along the transfer panel, and means for receiving and stacking the turned sheets.

10. In a sheet feeding and stacking apparatus, the combination of a transfer panel of magnetizedrollers for engaging and advancing sheets, a. dump panel of electro-magnets for receiving the advanced sheets and for turning them into a diilerent position, and electric instrumentalities connecting with said dumppanel electro-magnets for energizing and de-energizing them in synchronism with the turning of the sheet to pick up and release the sheet on said dump panel.

11. A sheet feeding and stacking apparatus, comprising in combination, a conveyor. for advancing sheets along a path of travel, an extractor panel of magnetized rollers disposed adjacent said conveyor and extending into the path of travel of the sheets for engaging and extracting the sheets individually from. said conveyor, a transfer panel of rollers disposed adjacent said conveyor for further advancing the sheets. said transfer panel comprising a plurality of electromagnetized rollers and a plurality of permanently magnetized rollers, said electro-magnetized rollers being disposed adjacent the sheet entrance side of said transfer panel for receiving the sheets from said extractor panel, and electric devices for demagnetizing said electro-magnetized rollers between the-transfer of the sheets from the extractor panel to the transfer panel so that interference between successive sheets will be eliminated.

12. A sheet feeding apparatus, comprising in combination: a conveyor for holding and advancing along a predetermined path of travel a plurality of sheets maintained in spaced relation, an edge portion of each sheet extending laterally beyond said conveyor, a magnetized roller located adjacent a side of said conveyor and disposed in the path of travel of the laterally extending edge portions of the sheets for individually engaging the sheets as the latter move into contact with the roller, said roller extracting a sheet engaged thereby laterally from the conveyor before the succeeding spaced sheet in the conveyor engages against the roller, and means for receiving the extracted sheets.

13. A sheet feeding apparatus, comprising in combination: a conveyor for holding and advancing along a predetermined path of travel a plurality of sheets in spaced relation, an edge portion of each sheet extending laterally beyond said conveyor, an electro-magnetized roller located adjacent a side of said conveyor and disposed in the path of travel of the laterally extending edge portions of the sheets for engaging the sheets lndividually as the latter move into contact with the roller, said roller extracting an engaged sheet laterally from the conveyor before the succeeding spaced sheet in the conveyor engages against the roller, means for receiving the sheets from said electro-magnetized roller for continuing the extraction of the sheets from said conveyor, and means for de-magnetizing said electro-magnetized roller during the continuing of the extraction of the sheets by said receiving means to insure full extraction of a sheet from said conveyor before extraction of the succeeding sheet thereon is instituted.

14. A sheet feeding apparatus, comprising in combination: a horizontally disposed conveyor for holding and advancing along a, predetermined path of travel a plurality o! sheets in spaced relation and supported on edge in an inclined position with a lateral edge portion ot each sheet extending beyond a side of the conveyor, a. magnetized roller located adjacent the side of the conveyor and disposed in the path of travel of the lateral edge portions of the sheets and extending beyond the side o! the conveyor for engaging the sheets individually as the same move into contact with the roller, said roller extracting an engaged sheet laterally of the conveyor and having an axis disposed at substantially the same angle of inclination as that of the lateral edge portion of a said sheet so that the roller will engage the sheet squarely along its surface, and means for receiving the sheets successively extracted by said magnetized roller.

JOHN C. STRICmER. 

